No Rock Band this Christmas down under: RedOctane founder

Guitar hero publisher speculates no show for its biggest competitor in Australia/New Zealand this Christmas; other territories could also be affected.

Rock Band was one of the most well received games of E3 this year, with the four-player music game garnering kudos from many critics. While gamers in the US have a tentative release date of the fourth quarter of 2007 to look forward to, wannabe rockers in other nations have had no such date tagged by game developer Harmonix, publisher MTV, and distributor EA.

Gamers outside of the US may have to wait until 2008 to get their Rock Band fix, at least if the speculation of one of the key brains behind the competing Guitar Hero franchise comes true. In an interview with GameSpot AU, RedOctane cofounder and chief operating officer Charles Huang has predicted that “multiple territories...will not see Rock Band this Christmas.”

"I have two predictions: One is I don't think [Rock Band] will actually ship this Christmas in Australia and New Zealand, and secondly, I think if it does, the retail price of that will be at least probably A$275, and it'll be very interesting to see," Huang said.

Huang attributes any possible release delays to peripheral manufacturing output, going on to suggest the delay could reach beyond the Asia-Pacific region. RedOctane is the maker of the guitar peripherals used in the Guitar Hero series, as well as being the official publisher of the games.

"We've had many, many years of working with peripherals and we know how difficult it is to produce sufficient quantities for a worldwide launch. I'm not singling out Australia--probably it will be multiple territories that will not see Rock Band this Christmas is my guess. It took us a tremendous amount of effort and a tremendous amount of time to increase the factory production. It took Nintendo a tremendous amount of time and effort to increase Wii production. Those things, done by companies with years of experience, are difficult, and to come straight out of the gate globally--even on two platforms--is extremely challenging, especially with all the technology that's involved with 360 and PS3," he said.

An EA Australia representative declined to confirm a release date for Rock Band down under. "We can't confirm that either way at the moment. What it's down to is the development of the peripherals, so we can't confirm either way whether it will be this year or next year. It's all up to how quickly they can develop those peripherals for us," he said.

Check out the full interview with Charles Huang by clicking here.

[UPDATE:] When contacted by GameSpot UK, an EA representative said, "We don't think [Rock Band] will be released in Q4." GameSpot will bring you further details as soon as they are available.

50 Comments

  • gtf6

    Posted Jan 2, 2008 2:02 am PT

    On ebay Australia at the moment, there is a seller in America selling rock band for AU$460 {including Postage}, that's US $400!!!!!!!!!

    And a 40GB ps3 costs less that 700!

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 12:33 pm PT

    Well I live in a country called the USA and I'm getting it!

  • jogunther

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 10:27 pm PT

    Everyone should have the love

  • packernation31

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 5:22 pm PT

    Hope it comes in u.s. this year

  • notTheOracle

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 8:28 am PT

    EA hates Europe

  • pinkledoo

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 12:27 am PT

    There is no way I would ever pay almost $300 for what is still just one game - that's insane. And I know a lot of other people who would think the same - they're pricing this thing out of the market. Sure, it'd be fun to use more than just the guitar but I can live with just GH3 for a reasonable price over almost the price of a new console.

  • ja_rawr_ed

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 12:04 am PT

    rock band sounds chill but im for guitar hero 3.
    and that sucks for austarlia and others.

  • bacchus2

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 7:41 pm PT

    I'm a little suprised at peoples response to the price. I was expecting Au $300 for the lot. I do agree that if it doesn't arrive for Christmas, it could hurt sales. Not necessarily because of Guitar Hero 3, but because people are willing to spend more on splashy items during Christmas.

    Personally disappointed, because this would be the ultimate party game for Christmas parties

  • woaitian1988

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 3:14 pm PT

    Huang is just jealous that Rock Band has stolen all the spotlights form GH3.

  • lukey9493

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 2:56 pm PT

    i can put up with gta being put back or even mgs but this has gone to far, i understand that it takes time to make games but when they put up a release date and promise that it is coming then, and have it in there tralors and what not then say its delayed. im pretty damm disapionted but what can you do

  • fustacluck

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 2:01 pm PT

    Why's everyone already taking as gospel something said by the rival developer/publisher to Rock Band? There's already been a slagging war between Harmonix and Red Octane and this is just the latest barrage from RO. Doesn't make it true.

  • HK-47-M4

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 1:55 pm PT

    I don't plan on getting Rock Band. I mean it looks cool, but for $200 I could get 3 or 4 other games I want to play this year. So if I got Rockband I would not be able to play Unreal Tournament 3, Assassin's Creed, or Uncharted.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 1:47 pm PT

    I am glad I don't live there

  • shasam712

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 1:11 pm PT

    Saying that the retail price is going to be that high is a little bit callous, I mean EA/Harmonix/MTV know enough to know they will have to offer all sorts of different bundles for different people. They have said many times that they don't expect everyone to buy every instrument, because that's not how it would work in a real band, so I am sure they will be offering single instrument bundles.

    ...as for the delay. Who knows, seems up in the air to me at the moment. Charles Huang is just speaking from experience here, not from knowledge.

  • kholdstareo1

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 9:53 am PT

    every time i read the news here, Australia is usually getting screwed over.
    my sympathies with you guys

  • bigmick07

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 9:28 am PT

    aww man i wanted to ask this one for christmas, since its so expensive and all. mI hope it doesn't get delayed here in thew U.S.

  • AmazoLK

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 9:10 am PT

    I hope it gets delayed until 2008, I have tons of other games to buy this holiday.

  • thescorpion1983

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 8:57 am PT

    I hope US/Canada gets it for holidays, some games i have been expection are all pushed back..GTA...Rock Band..what now?....its only beginning of august...is Halo next?...And btw Rock band and GH3 are different things, one its only about being a guitarist..and the other its name says it all...

  • The_Weekend

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 8:55 am PT

    awww MAN! I WAS WAITING!!!!

  • RXHELL

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 7:45 am PT

    You just lost yourself a customer

  • Evanrocknuma

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 6:54 am PT

    If I get this game it will be for the drums and I will buy them seperately. Guitar hero already gives me my guitar fix. Anyway, yeah I love living in the US even for the little S#!T like this. Anyway to where it is not shipping they still get halo 3, bio shock, assassins creeed, Call of duty 4, guitar hero 3, blue dragon, mass effect, the sports games (too many), and well you get the point

  • ddt88

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 6:45 am PT

    No surprises here... EA you are dreaming with a price tag of A$275. I don't care how many guitars there are!!

  • pooladden

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 6:43 am PT

    this is the perfect chance for gh3 to shine because most people are dougtin it because of rock band but i say gh3 will be better you will see

  • W_Claiborne

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 6:37 am PT

    This is only guessing by someone who doesn't even work for the same company as Rock Band. I'm 90% sure this is bogus. Rock Band will be in for Christmas in AU -- remember I said that when I'm proved right ;-)

  • pete_merlin

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 6:29 am PT

    i dont want rock band any way

  • Evil_Incarnate-

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 6:19 am PT

    first gta4 now this. what other of my pre-orders will get delayed?
    and stonyshred is a moron

  • StonyShred420

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 6:13 am PT

    $230 US bucks.....WHAT! I better be able to use my GH2 guitar from my 360 for this and be able to buy just the game for 60 bucks or EA, like with more titles they are putting out and feel the same way, can keep thier game and shove it up thier @$$.

  • StonyShred420

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 6:08 am PT

    Yo know, i see this game being iether huge or a flop. From my understanding people are going to be forming bands....but just like in RL...who the F*&^ want to be a Drummer, or Bass player when you could be shreding it up as the lead guitarist or singer! Everyone knows the chicks dig the lead guitarist and singer! I just see this being a game where if you try and use the multiplayer aspect of making a band, theres going to be sooo many guitar players compared to people playing the drums or bass. Other than that, im very excited about this game and Guitar Hero 3....can't get enough of that good ol' rock n' roll.

  • jon181

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 5:59 am PT

    I know we are all disappointed, but is anybody REALLY surprised? I know I'm not.

  • carddude

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 5:00 am PT

    Hey, anyone see that the Rock Band logo looks like the new Linkin Park one?

  • dimsey

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 4:57 am PT

    Expensive. I'll be grabbing it when it does eventually come out, don't get me wrong. But will definately put a dent in the wallet.
    I'm also not too bummed about it not coming this year down under. I mean, theres a tonne of good games coming out within the next few months that I can overlook this one slipping, theres other stuff to keep us occupied in the mean time.

  • aus_pride

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 4:25 am PT

    Oh well we still have guitar hero 3!!

  • Darth_Homer

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 4:08 am PT

    Screw it, I'll stick with Singstar.

    Wait, is this Q4 in PAL? Or Q4 in general?

  • AL13NK1LL3R

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 3:42 am PT

    uhh yeah right.. i'm not goin buy that game, rather get gutiar hero 3

  • anthj5

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 3:19 am PT

    Way too expensive.. I wouldn't buy it at that price!

  • Taalon

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 2:56 am PT

    275.00AUD = 230.00USD

  • greater_bird

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 2:50 am PT

    Sorry Steel_Cyclone, but either your math or your idea of the value of the Aussie dollar is *way* off.

    $275 Australian is about $230 US.

  • Steel_Cyclone

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 2:40 am PT

    $275 Australian? Sounds like it'll be a lot cheaper than I thought.

    That's like $140 US.

  • Nintendo_Man

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 2:37 am PT

    It will flop badly here now being released mid next year with that sort of price tag. It is going to be crushed by Guitar Hero 3.

  • weemadando

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 2:28 am PT

    Stupid move. Rockband + X-mas in Australia where peripheral games own the market (Singstar, Buzz etc) would have been a big coup. And its not like we'd take up THAT much of the US market allocation anyway. Just the equivalent of one batch for a Toys'R'Us in Montana would probably cover the East Coast of AU at least.

  • the-very-best

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 2:12 am PT

    No surprise that we always get things last. It's getting annoying, especially with major games.

  • Sagacious_Tien

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 2:06 am PT

    I actually had a feeling this would happen, so I'm not surprised. I hope they can keep the price down though, as $275 is a steep ask.

  • PyroSean30

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 1:44 am PT

    I sure hope it's going to be $200 (or lower...) and here this Nov in NA

    it would be interesting to see if other countries can get to download/play songs from their native bands

  • big_dave899

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 1:40 am PT

    living in australia this is very very dissapointing news, thos was supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread, but now, by the time we will be getting it, the sliced bread will be stale n mouldy, very very bad news, get your act together guys

  • paranoiasurviva

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 1:32 am PT

    lol, owned. Oh well, As long as NA gets it... I don't care.

  • The_PirateKing

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 1:21 am PT

    ~-~You know, even if this does get pushed back, it probably isn't going to effect me. There are too many good games coming out this holiday season to spend that much on just one. I would of waited anyways.~-~

  • AtomicEdge

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 1:20 am PT

    Seems like a big mistake... I think that the average gamer will either buy GH3 or Rock Band (or neither) and delaying one of them will give the competition a massive boost.

    This game screams Christmas purchace, and missing that all important November - December window can only be a bad thing for Harmonix...

  • matrix_hiei

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 1:19 am PT

    let's just hope that rock band can make it to the u.s. by the end of 08.

  • real_oxide

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 1:09 am PT

    A$275? *shock*

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